This year’s Congress of Delegates was held in sunny Phoenix, Arizona. With temperatures over 100 degrees outside, we huddled in the frigid conference room for two days, working to pass resolutions that will chart the course of AAFP and its chapters. Delegates put in a lot of time working on resolutions, considering all the proposed resolutions and process changes, and traveling to Congress to vote and choose the next group of AAFP leaders. UAFP is represented very well and all our delegates are an inspiration. In a change from previous blogs, we had each of your delegates write their own perspectives, each choosing a specific day to cover. Enjoy their recaps. Day 1 Nikki Clark, MD, FAAFP Delegate Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona, for the AAFP Congress of Delegates! As in previous years, we started the Congress with the Town Hall. This is a panel discussion of several of the AAFP leadership. Each leader had a current topic that they wanted to share about the work of the AAFP over the past year. These included four main points: 1. Medicare Payment • Currently, there is a proposed 2.8% budget cut that the AAFP is fighting. • They fought hard to get the G2211 CPT code approved so you can be paid for the time it takes for our complex patients that we all have. 2. New Membership • Making improved resources available for members across all parts of your career. • Helping with the transition from residency to practice. • Decreasing the membership fees for new graduates for the first three years out of residency. $100 for first year out, $200 for the second year out and $300 for the third year out. 3. Administrative Simplification and New Technology • Continuing to work on the prior authorization issues that cause tremendous stress and lead to delay of care. • Working on processes to use AI to IMPROVE practice (not replace us as some people feel will happen). 4. Work Force • This year, 4,595 medical students matched to family medicine (88% fill rate). • Currently, there are almost 800! (In the state of Utah, there are 29 possible first-year spots.) • The National Conference for medical students and residents is now named FUTURE. • There were many thoughtful questions posed by the audience in the short meeting. Family doctors have many concerns and the AAFP is listening. We are here to represent you and the unique issues of medicine in Utah to our AAFP national leadership. It was a great couple of days here in Phoenix despite nearly melting from the heat! Delegates Drs. Chad Spain and Nikki Clark at the Utah delegation table 2024 CONGRESS of DELEGATES 20
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